The Upside To Frozen Foods

If you’ve taken a look at Yummy Spoonfuls, you know that our product is frozen. And we realize that many of you may turn away assuming that it has the same “bad reputation” as the TV dinners from the 80’s and 90’s. Well, that’s just not true! In fact, that’s why we created a series of helpful content around the fact that frozen food is not the salisbury steaks TV dinners of yesteryear. In our research, we came across this article from Tufts University. The article addresses a few important points that I wanted to share:

Tidbit #1:

Produce from the frozen-food aisle is at least as nutritious as fresh, and certain nutrients are better preserved in frozen fruits and vegetables than in fresh produce after a few days in your fridge.

Understanding that frozen and fresh aren’t drastically different will allow you to purchase what is convenient for you based on your budget, schedule and time.

Tidbit #2:

Fresh produce, by contrast, is “a living material—it respires, there’s oxidation and enzymes operating. It degrades over time and loses nutrients, especially vitamins A and C and folate. That’s normal and to be expected.

Here’s an important thought — if you are buying fresh product for immediate consumption i.e. salads, soups, vegetable platters, then go for it. But if you’re buying produce and there’s even a 30% chance you won’t use them to cook during the week, opt for the frozen version. You want to find a way to optimize nutrient intake and consumption.

Tidbit #3:

Yes it is! That’s why our product is nutritionally superior. It’s the closest to homemade. Once the purees are made, they’re packaged accordingly and frozen. This is done in order to preserve nutrition, freshness and slow down enzymatic reactions brought by common preservatives and ingredients.

Tidbit #4:

When buying frozen vegetables and fruits, an easy rule is to get the item only and nothing else; that means skipping the sauces and seasonings. Customize them to your own preferences and needs.

Exactly. Stick to the basic frozen fruits and vegetables. Avoid the stir-fry kits and the seasoned vegetables and instead peruse the internet for simple dressing or dip recipes. Salad dressings, seasonings, marinades and condiments contain salt and sugar varieties could be avoided.

Tidbit #5:

What about new frozen-meal offerings that promise to be healthier choices? They might be worth a look for days when you’re too frazzled to cook.

Many frozen food brands have launched healthier varieties. As long as you pay attention to the fat and sodium content, it could be a better option than ordering take out.

Tidbit #6:

Depend instead on the numbers in the “Nutrition Facts” label, says Lichtenstein: “Invest some time during the first purchase of a new type of food to do a little comparison in terms of calories and salt. You should only have to do this once so it should not be too time-consuming or tedious.”

Read. The. Label. Yes, take the time to understand the ingredient list and the calories and macronutrients (fat, carbs, proteins) per serving. By knowing this, you’ll practice mindful consumption and portion control. No matter the frozen food product – read and familiarize yourself so that you’re able to make smart nutrition choices.

At Yummy Spoonfuls: We love frozen… yes we do! We love frozen … how about you?